This fall, Somerville voters will have the opportunity to cast ballots for Mayor, Ward City Councilor, City Councilors-at-Large, and School Committee members. A preliminary election for Mayor and Ward 3 School Committee, similar to a primary election, is scheduled for Tuesday, September 10. On this date, voters will be voting to narrow down the Mayoral candidates to two candidates and the Ward 3 School Committee candidates to two candidates. This is a nonpartisan preliminary and all voters may vote for any candidate running for either office. The general election will be on Tuesday, November 5.

Michael Winograd is the co-founder of the nation’s largest Yiddish cultural festival, Yiddish New York, and the artistic director of the world’s largest Klezmer workshop, KlezKanada. He’s also performed with master violinist Itzhak Perlman among many others, including revered Pakistani vocalist Zeb Bangash

Recommendations to be discussed at September 4 City Council Committee meeting

The City of Somerville Open Space Creation Task Force recently released a strategy memo with recommendations on new and innovative approaches for the creation of more open space in Somerville, the most densely populated city in New England. The 4.1 square mile city has been working to achieve its goal to create an additional 125 new acres of open space by 2030, with 105.1 acres left to go.

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on three commissions under the purview of the Health and Human Services Department: the Human Rights Commission, the Commission for Women, and the Commission for Persons with Disabilities. Somerville’s boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. HHS will be accepting applications for the open positions until they are filled.

On Monday, Sept. 2, City and Public School Offices will be closed for the holiday. Trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup will be on a one-day delay all week. To check your trash pickup schedule, please visit: somervillema.gov/trash. For more info, please contact 311 (617-625-3311).

The Somerville City Council Committee on Land Use, and the Somerville Planning Board, invite all interested community members to attend and speak at a joint Public Hearing on the adoption of a new Somerville Zoning Ordinance. The Hearing will take place on Thursday, September 19, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The Land Use Committee of the Whole and the Planning Board will hear testimony on the proposed new ordinance. Written public comment will also be accepted as noted below.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The Somerville Road Runners presented the 7th annual Race to the Row, a series of events through Assembly Square and along the Mystic River, in Assembly Square in Somerville on Sunday, August 25.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

Unlike other squares in the city, Davis Square is unique and has a distinct vibrant culture not replicated elsewhere. Most cities have a downtown, Somerville does not. Instead it has a number of multi-street intersections we call squares. But Davis Square comes close to being our ‘downtown’.

— Photo courtesy Google Map

Tree removals on private property now require permits (with some exceptions)

On June 27, 2019, the Somerville City Council passed a Tree Preservation Ordinance (Ord. #2019-15) with new requirements for the removal of trees on private property. The ordinance went into effect on August 1, 2019, and incorporates and updates the prior City of Somerville Tree Ordinance, which set requirements only for the removal of public trees.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

By Joseph A. Curtatone

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers. 

77: Since 2014, 77 Somerville residents were lost to overdoses. Saturday, August 31, is International Overdose Awareness Day, which we will be marking with a ceremony at City Hall on Thursday, August 29, at 5:07 p.m. During the ceremony 77 small flags will be placed for the Somerville residents lost since 2014, and a larger flag will represent those lost prior to 2014. Seventy-seven deaths in five years is a tragedy, and sadly that tragedy is far reaching. Each of those people had family and friends who cared about them and who miss them. As a community, marking International Overdose Awareness Day is one way we can show our support to the countless people whose lives have been touched by overdose deaths.